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Reds flyer Vunivalu sidelined again ahead of Chiefs clash
By AAP
Suliasi Vunivalu’s dreadful injury run since switching codes has continued with the Queensland Reds winger a late scratching to face the Chiefs.
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Coach Brad Thorn cited hamstring tightness when ruling him out on Thursday morning, with Filipo Daugunu recalled to the starting side and Floyd Aubrey a chance of debuting off the bench on Friday at Suncorp Stadium.
The former Melbourne Storm flyer played just seven games last season and missed the first seven of this Super Rugby Pacific campaign no thanks to hamstring issues.
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His absence after just two games, his second an eerily-quiet outing in Melbourne last weekend with few touches in a loss to the Hurricanes, comes with Vunivalu off contract and weighing up his future.
Injury denied him a chance to push for Wallabies selection last season with time again running out for the supreme athlete to force his way into the reckoning for July’s three-Test series against England.
Thorn said they had no choice but to be cautious given his recent history of setbacks and are hopeful he will play a part in the Reds’ push to the finals.
“He has some tightness in his hamstring so we’re just making sure he’s in a good space with that,” Thorn said.
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“It was a short week (after playing on Saturday … better to be safe than sorry.
“We were looking to play him but (he felt) a little bit of tightness, so we’ve got to be smart about these things.”
Thorn said fellow backline talent Jordan Petaia would “definitely” play next week as he too battles a minor hamstring niggle.
The Reds are already without No.10 James O’Connor (knee) but are confident they can topple the Chiefs and establish a top-four spot that will earn them a home final.
“It’s just another strong challenge; if we get our own game right we feel we can compete,” Thorn said of his side that let a 17-0 lead slip last week.
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“Just our discipline, little things like offsides, knock-ons, looking after that footy, when to give the pass or be happy to carry and look after it.
“The Hurricanes handled pressure, then they brought pressure. If you’re opening that door, handing the ball over against New Zealand sides, you get hurt.”
A Chiefs (6-3) victory would move them level with the Reds (7-2), but the visitors will be without All Blacks skipper Sam Cane, who has returned home to be with his wife during childbirth.
Luke Jacobson will assume the captaincy in the continued absence of injured co-captain Brad Weber, with Kaylum Boshier’s promotion for Cane the only change to the starting side that beat the Waratahs last week.
The Reds also welcome Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru back from injury onto a strong bench.
